Will generate clean energy to power around 36,000 homes and displace nearly 130,000 tonnes of CO² emissions a year

ABB, has won orders worth around USD 225 million to supply two turnkey photovoltaic (PV) power plants that will be built in the northern province of Limpopo in South Africa. The orders were awarded by two special purpose entities, Core Energy and Erika Energy, whose primary stakeholders include Sun Edison, a global solar energy services provider.

Announcing this, ABB elaborated that the two plants, located at the Witkop and Soutpan Solar Parks, will be close to the city of Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo province, and will have a generating capacity of 33 megawatts (MW) and 31 MW respectively, and will be among the first utility-scale PV power plants to be built in phase 1 of the South African government’s long-term renewable energy programme.

ABB will also supply a range of products and technologies, including inverters, protection equipment, switchgear, dry-type transformers, controllers and the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Together, the plants will generate 130 gigawatt hours of electricity per year – enough clean energy to power around 36,000 South African homes and displace around 130,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. The projects are scheduled to be completed in 2013.

“Our vast experience in supplying high-efficiency PV power plants, combined with our local capabilities and presence will enable us to deliver best-in-class solutions and support the country’s vision to integrate renewable energies,” said Brice Koch, head of ABB’s Power Systems division.